Internet 24

ALY

Can I get some help, please?

Aly grabs a lime green tray on a glass counter. On it are pizza slices on top of paper plates. Each has two slices, one pepperoni, and the other sausage. She watches the teenage employee walk back to a group gathered in the back of the kitchen, talking to themselves.

ALY

Excuse me, this was supposed to be to-go.

A worker finally turns to Aly.

TEENAAGE PIZZA EMPLOYEE

That tray is yours.

ALY

But it was supposed to be to-go.

No one responds. Seconds away from losing her cool, Aly takes a deep breath and lets out an empathic

ALY

Cool,

Aly makes her way through the food court with the tray of pizza in one hand and a cup holder of three different coffees in the other. One frappe is so sweet you can feel the cavities forming on your molars from the first sip. There's a sizeable vanilla cream cold brew, probably more ice than coffee. Finally, a bitter black coffee with one packet of sugar.

She bobs and weaves through the shoppers, distracted by the signs and window displays instead of looking forward. There aren't many people in the mall, but they still find a way to almost crash into her. Aly can't help but think how people lose a sense of social awareness once they are walking. She walks past the video game store by the office when she hears a man's voice coming from inside.

UNKNOWN MAN

You know you're not supposed to

carry that tray out of the food court.

Aly turns to see a man with slick back hair, skinny frame, and a black long-sleeved shirt stocking a game shelf.

ALY

They didn't give it to me to-go

when I asked, so it's mine now.

UNKNOWN MAN

They have the best pizza in town but the

crappiest service. Worth it though,

in my opinion.

ALY

It's my first time having it, I'm kinda new

to the mall. Don't know what's

what here yet.

UNKNOWN MAN

You're one of the detectives that

opened up next door, right?

ALY

Yes, I am. Let me give you our card.

She goes to look for a card in her pocket but then remembers her hands are full. She walks up to the man and without asking him for help, even though his hands are full at the moment, hands him the tray. When he puts the games on the shelf and reaches for the tray, she notices his hand.

It's an animatronic hand. There are some wires sticking out of the metal frame and it's dented in random places. The metal stretches from the tips of his fingernails to part of his forearm. Each finger can move on its own, but slowly, and can only bend at the knuckles. There is the soft sound of metal shifting when he moves one of his digits.

ALY

You need to take better

care of that, man.

UNKNOWN MAN

That's rude. I can't afford to get it fix. Mechstitics

cost a ton to maintain. With a job like this.

He gestures with his head to the store.

UNKNOWN MAN

Sometimes you got put certain finances

on the backburner. That doesn't matter,

though – why am I holding this?

She goes for a card and places it on the shelf. While she takes the tray from the man, he grabs the card and reads it.

Isabela Detective Agency

"We can solve all of your problems, from the mundane to the strange."

UNKNOWN MAN

Isn't the tagline a bit much?

Ten better taglines she could use pop into the man's head as he stares at the card.

ALY

It's great and already printed. You should stop

by if you need anything. Also, my brother

does maintenance and repairs on all mechsthetic.

Come by, and I'll give you a discount on that hand.

UNKNOWN MAN

Really? That would be cool.

I'll stop by on my next day off.

He holds his hand out to shake hers while putting his mechanical hand and the card in his pocket. Aly can tell he doesn't want her getting a closer look. The unknown man finally says his name.

TONY

I'm Tony.

Aly places the drinks on the ground and shakes his hand.

ALY

I'm Alyssa Isabela. Call me Aly,

though, if you want that discount.

When Tony grabs her hand, his hairs stand up as his body is decorated in goose bumps. Her hand is unnaturally cold to the touch. Her grip is strong too, and you would suspect with how soft her skin looks that her hand would match it. Instead it is like grabbing a door handle.

ALY

Perfect.

She grabs her drinks and turns to walks away when he calls out for her.

TONY

Look you're nice, and I think

you should be aware. I don't know if

anyone told you about the 'Roos.

They're a local gang who have

been moving into the mall.

ALY

They the ones who messed up your hand?

She already knows the answer. Tony digs his hand deeper into his pocket.

TONY

I don't know what their end goal is,

but with your job, you might

run into them. Just be careful.

ALY

Thanks for the heads up. Let me know

if you hear more about these 'Roos,'

and I'll see you on your next day off.

With that, she walks out of the store. He takes the card out of his pocket and makes sure to tuck it into his wallet.